The Seattle Plunge Club, founded in September of 2025, is a local club that focuses on community building through cold water plunging. The club aims to provide a spontaneous opportunity and boost the mental health for local Seattleites of all ages.
Seattle Plunge Club’s leader Evan Diabler started the club with the motto, “community over comfort.” Diabler explained how the simplicity of the club creates an inviting atmosphere.
“This club, it’s just at a park, people jumping in, all age ranges,” Diabler said.
The idea for Seattle Plunge came from a separate community club that ended last summer. With some friends, Diabler decided to keep the club going through the winter to connect with other adults living in Seattle.
“I was really just trying to meet new people. The biggest reason I started it is to keep the Seattle summer going,” Diabler said.
The club quickly gained popularity through Instagram reels and other social media platforms. On Friday and Saturday mornings, the club attracts roughly 100 people. Diabler emphasized the importance of being present.
“You need to get into communities and repeatedly show up,” Diabler said.
This community group has allowed the continuation of the Seattle summer feeling to beat the “Seattle freeze,” a social phenomenon characterized by the unfriendly atmosphere of the dark winters in the greater Seattle area.
“One of the biggest things is the way that cold plunging opens people up to socializing. It’s so funny watching before people plunge compared to after,” Diabler said.
Addy Miller, a first year studying studio art and honors at Seattle Pacific University, explained what the community means to her.
“I’ve been to the plunge club I think four times, and I absolutely love it because it’s so empowering to wake up early and do something difficult,” Miller said.
As the days get warmer, the water of the Puget Sound stays cold. Throughout the summer, the group will be continuing Saturday plunges while switching back to Seattle Swim Club on Fridays.
“My vision is now, for summer as it gets warmer, the Puget Sound stays cold all year. You still have to choose community over comfort, and we’ll bring volleyball nets and spikeball and plunge. Get out and you can stay all day if you want,” Diabler said.
Miller explained the enjoyment and community she feels attending Seattle Plunge Club events. She highlighted the acceptance and excitement she feels in starting her Friday mornings with a cold plunge.
“We’re a bunch of teenagers. Every single time, Evan comes up and talks to us, starts conversation, and introduces us to other people. They don’t care where we’re from, they’re just happy we’re there,” Miller said.
If you want to get connected to this club, check out their Instagram @seattleplungeclub.
